The following comment on the ethanol story posted above (a response to Rolling Stone's expose) should bring a lump to everyone's throat here. If this is really our choice, then we are indeed screwed:

Posted by Jeff on Aug 1 2007 12:07AM - I’m sitting here in Iraq (Tall Afar) wondering what the heck is wrong with ethanol. Why is the American public being fed so much negative opinion on the first step in getting off big oil. I have a feeling I wouldn’t be here now if not for U.S. oil dependency. Our future energy will come of many sources and ethanol is just one of them and is a logical evolutionary step in moving away from our current dependency. By the way, we have the best farmers in the world, they can grow anything. Give ethanol a chance. Or stay hooked on big oil.........up to you......

I saw that comment just as I saw Robert mentioned in the article (Robert I think you are being just a bit optimistic with the land requirement for cellulosic ethanol).

It says something we already know...America is addicted to oil and would rather (currently) choose to starve in their cars than to deal with their problem of excessive demand. It also tels me that this soldier knows he will be stuck in Iraq for America's addiction.

As a nation we seem pre-disposed to choose between A and B. With us, against us. Democrat, Republican. Stay, Cut-and-run.

None of the Above.

Just can't ... seem ... to get ... through ... a ... summer ... without ... TOD =]

That's right TODers.. you're favorite ethanol protag has had about as much sun and surf as he can handle.

I will soon be back to torpedo this Rolling Stone garbage scow (along with all the other ships of ethanol bias found adrift in this summer's cesspool of the uninformed) with a piece I'm tentatviely calling:

The Top 10 Signs You're Reading an Ethanol Hit-Piece.

Can I get an AMEN!

This topic was discussed previously on the list.

If you try to convert the US to ethanol you might find there is not enough food in the world.

From the Earth Policy Institute:

"Converting the entire U.S. grain harvest to ethanol would satisfy only 16 percent of U.S. auto fuel needs."

I did not see comments at the end of the Rolling Stone article. Where was this comment posted ?

Thanks,

Alan